Buddha Cave Wall Relief Carving Replica Buddhist Pilgrimage The sculptures illustrate Buddhist themes an stories of the Buddha's previous lives called jataka stories. Figures of bodhisattvas, nature spirits (yakshas) and guardians reflect Mahayana doctrines. The Buddha was invited to Vaisali by its ruler, a Licchavi (Nepalese) prince. The city was affected by drought and plague, but as soon as the Buddha arrived there was a thunderstorm with torrential rain which cleansed the city and its people. Buddha on Mirror Work Stone Temple Wall Slab with two female monks or nuns. The Buddha was the first religious Teacher to give women full freedom to participate in a religious life.